Influence of an Early Mobilization Protocol on the Autonomic Behavior of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Background: Recurrence Plots (RP) enable a nonlinear analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and provide information on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). Objectives: To evaluate whether early ambulation in patients undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) influences the quantitative and qualitative components of RP. Methods: A total of 32 participants who underwent PTCA were divided into a Control Group (CG - no physical exercises) and an Early Ambulation Group (EAG - with physical exercises). Beat-to-beat heart rate was recorded using a heart rate monitor in both groups upon admission and discharge. The linear indices in the time and frequency domains were analyzed, and nonlinear indices were obtained through RP. The Early Ambulation Physical Therapy Protocol began 12-18 hours after PTCA. A two-tailed unpaired t-test was used for comparisons, and p-values < 0.05 were accepted as significant. Results: When comparing both groups, upon discharge, EAG showed an increase in SDNN (23.55 +/- 12.05 to 37.29 +/- 16.25; p=0.042), Triangular Index (8.99 +/- 3.03 to 9.66 +/- 3.07; p=0.014), and VLF (694.20 +/- 468.20 to 848.37 +/- 526.51; p=0.004), but without significant changes in the nonlinear evaluation. In addition, in the qualitative analysis of RP, a more diffuse and less geometric pattern was observed in EAG, indicating greater variability, while in CG, an altered and more geometric pattern was noted. Conclusion: The Early Ambulation Protocol promotes an improvement in autonomic behavior as evaluated by HRV and by RP, which can thus be considered a useful procedure for better recovery of patients undergoing PTCA.